CenterLines is the bi-weekly e-newsletter of the National Center for Bicycling &
Walking, a program of Project for Public Spaces. CenterLines is our way of quickly delivering news and information
you can use to create more walkable and bicycle-friendly communities.

-> Hours remain to take advantage of the Early Registration rate for the 2012 conference. Our best rates will expire after 11:59 pm, Eastern, Wednesday, May 23. Even if you are unsure whether to attend Pro Walk/Pro Bike®, the chances are you know somebody who would benefit immensely from attending--say, someone from your state DOT or the local planning department. At Pro Walk/Pro Bike® your friends will learn best practices on planning, constructing, and operating separated cycling facilities; planning for an integrated bicycling/walking/transit network; retrofitting suburbia for better walking and bicycling; and the latest design guidance from NACTO, ITE, and the Model Design Manual for Living Streets.

If you need some talking points for persuading your local transportation professional to attend Pro Walk/Pro Bike® 2012, the League of American Bicyclists provided plenty of fodder with this week's release of the 2012 State Rankings, and the public launch of the Every Bicyclist Counts project. The State Rankings <http://bit.ly/QSsPX> are a great way to measure your state's progress against your neighbors.* (For larger cities, consult the Alliance for Biking & Walking's 2012 Benchmarking report <http://bit.ly/b5wWx2>.) The Every Bicyclist Counts project addressees the primary reason we need to get more designers, engineers, and law enforcement to Pro Walk/Pro Bike®: the status quo of the forgiving roadway and the forgiven driver is costing us too many lives. The League's project <http://bit.ly/JivAzm> is collecting names, stories, and information about the circumstance of the deaths. The Healthy + Safe conference track will feature best practices on working with law enforcement, crash data collection and problem identification, and how to develop a crash support program for local cyclists -- among other topics.

Pro Walk/Pro Bike® 2012: Pro Place is pleased to welcome Momentum as a media sponsor. Watch for the Pro Walk/Pro Bike® 2012: Pro Place feature in the July/August issue of Momentum magazine. The current issue profiles one of our local superstar organizers -- Melissa Balmer -- who is Editor/Director of Women on Bikes SoCal: <http://bit.ly/Ky8ftL>.

For information on becoming a conference sponsor or exhibitor, please contact Mark Plotz, Conference Director: <mark@bikewalk.org> or (202) 223-3621. Stay tuned to CenterLines and the official conference blog <pwpb2012.blogspot.com> for the latest conference news.

* As a proud Minnesotan, I was happy to note that my home state ranked second, and even happier to see that neighboring Wisconsin was four points lower, coming in at a mere sixth place.

BIKE SUPPORT CAREENS AHEAD BUT CONGRESS IS STILL SPINNING WHEELS

-> According to a May 18th Pacific Sun article, "As Congress began conference work last week in an attempt to reach a consensus transportation bill, a new nationwide survey revealed overwhelming bipartisan support for maintaining or increasing federal funding for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. That show of support comes as Republicans have repeatedly threatened to reduce or eliminate federal funding of bicycle and pedestrian projects as frivolous and an unwise use of taxpayer dollars."

"But the survey shows that taxpayers across the country want their tax dollars to support these projects. Princeton Survey Research Associates International, commissioned by America Bikes -- a coalition of bicycle and walking advocacy organizations -- surveyed 1,003 adults across the country. Respondents were asked to answer questions to determine whether they support federal spending for bike lanes, bike paths and sidewalks. The questions were included in a larger demographic survey conducted by the company. Nonmotorized transportation advocates know most people look kindly on these projects, but the survey results surprised them."

"'We were hoping to find data that we could use in support of biking and walking,' says Mary Lauran Hall, communications coordinator for America Bikes. 'We didn't think the numbers would be this strong.' A Republican strategy to hold nonmotorized transportation funding hostage to other issues, such as the gutting of environmental regulations and support for the Keystone Pipeline, have little resonance beyond Washington, she says. "The biggest message the survey results are sending is that Americans (strongly) support the federal funding that goes toward sidewalks and bike lanes, and the controversy about this issue is really an inside the Beltway fight. Americans want this type of infrastructure built..."

-> According to a Good Cities article, "Today marks the beginning of Bike Nation, GOOD's weeklong celebration of pedal power. We're not the only ones who are excited -- biking is more popular than ever: But when it comes time to divvy up the nation's transportation budget, cyclists and pedestrians tend to get the short end of the stick. Less than 2 percent of federal transportation funds go toward making our cities friendly for biking and walking."

"Right now, Congress is working on passing a transportation bill. It's currently in conference, where members of the transportation committee will make final changes and funding decisions. And the small portion of the budget dedicated to walking and biking is at risk -- even though Americans of all political stripes and in all parts of the country are interested in increasing or maintaining the amount of federal funding that supports biking and walking. So join GOOD in celebrating bikes this week-and while you're at it, show your love for two-wheeled transportation by asking Congress to preserve the small amount of funding for bike-friendly projects. Take action here: (http://bit.ly/KbcE6O)..."

-> According to a May 18th news release, "New data released today by the League of American Bicyclists, Sierra Club, and National Council of La Raza (NCLR) highlights the tremendous economic benefits of bicycling and its importance as a safe transportation choice that should be available to every U.S. resident. The fact sheet release coincides with National Bike to Work Day, as more than 1 million U.S. residents are expected to participate in hundreds of events across the country, showcasing bicycles as a healthy, affordable and efficient form of transportation."

"New and key data highlighted in the fact sheet includes:
-- Bicyclists in the U.S. save $4.6 billion per year by riding, instead of driving
-- If American drivers replaced just one four-mile car trip with a bike each week for the whole year, it would save more than 2 billion gallons of gas.
-- From 2001 to 2009, Hispanics, African Americans, and Asian Americans took up biking at faster rates than other Americans, representing 21 percent of all bike trips in the U.S. in 2009."

"'There are so many reasons more people are riding, from improving their health to protecting the environment,' said League President Andy Clarke. 'But, especially in tough economic times, bicycling can also be an economic catalyst, keeping billions of dollars in the pockets of American families.'..."

-> According to a May 17th announcement, "Applications are now being accepted for the 2012 James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award. The Award recognizes schools and communities that have improved the safety or increased the number of elementary and/or middle school students who walk and bicycle to school. Every year, the National Center for Safe Routes to School gives the Award to an exemplary Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program in the United States. The application deadline is Thursday, June 28, 2012, at midnight Eastern Time. To learn more and to download the application, view the Call for Applications (http://bit.ly/oBcYM9)."

-> According to a May 21st Washington Post article, "The 389-cubic-inch overhead-cam V-8 holds a sweet spot in many aging hearts, but their grandchildren are more likely to lust after a 1-terabyte hard drive streaming video to a high-resolution screen. 'Today, it's not the most critical thing in the world to have the most exciting car,' said Jim Wangers, 85, known as 'the godfather" of the Pontiac GTO, which helped define the muscle car era. 'In the 1960s it was absolutely mandatory that you had a swinging set of wheels. Now, personal mobility has been replaced by personal mobility on the Web.' America's fabled love affair with the car hasn't ended, but like many a romance that gets off to a smoking-hot start, it has evolved over the years into more placid coexistence rooted more in need than pleasure."

"There are a multitude of reasons: The roads don't seem so free or open as they were when the affair blossomed after World War II. Congestion and the pillory at the gas pump have reined in some of the wanderlust. Hot cars once were a teenage status symbol, but now four wheels matter most as a way to the mall. And the meeting place of social cyberspace means there's a lot less need to go anywhere to commune with friends. People younger than 30 are showing increasing disdain for owning combustion-engine power. Saddled with college debt and concerned about the environment, fewer are bothering to get driver's licenses, more are moving to transit-friendly cities and new apps are expanding the arsenal of alternatives to owning a car..."

[Ed. Note: the 389-cubic-inch V-8 was an overhead valve engine, not an overhead cam.]

CDC PRESENTS 2012 "GAME CHANGER AWARD" TO SAFE ROUTES PARTNERSHIP

-> According to a May 11th news release, "In recognition of its seven-year track record promoting safe walking and bicycling routes to school for children and fighting obesity, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented Safe Routes to School National Partnership (http://bit.ly/J79yOO) with the 2012 Game Changer Award. Safe Routes to School National Partnership Director Deb Hubsmith accepted the award at the Weight of the Nation Conference in Washington, D.C., a gathering of public policy makers and health leaders engaged in obesity prevention and control initiatives."

"The Game Changer Award nominations reflect activities that have led to paradigm shifts that have advanced obesity prevention efforts. 'Bicycling and walking to school is one of our nation's best remedies for childhood obesity,' said Bruno Maier, vice president of the Bikes Belong Foundation. 'Safe Routes to School National Partnership's work is critical to reversing this trend. It has ignited a powerful national movement bringing public health, school and transportation officials together to build a healthier future for children and adults. We congratulate Deb and her team for their tireless efforts.'"

"'The statistics are startling,' said Hubsmith. 'Between 1969 and 2009, the number of children who bicycled or walked to school fell 75%, while the percentage of obese children tripled. Our work helps communities make it safe, fun and convenient for children to walk and bicycle to school and in daily life. This award acknowledges the work of countless parent volunteers, dedicated engineers, committed educators and enthusiastic children who are true game changers in tens of thousands of communities across the country.'..."

-> According to a May 15th Guardian article, "UK local authorities are taking a close look at the policy -- which is winning wider public support. Could a universal 20 mph speed limit on residential streets soon be as widely accepted as the smoking ban in pubs? It's too soon to talk about a tipping point, but more and more UK local authorities are taking a close look at a policy which is winning wider public support. Portsmouth, Oxford and other cities have pioneered the switch within the past five years, and campaigners from the 20's Plenty For Us movement say 8 million people now live in areas which are committed to adopting the limit for residential roads. They include Newcastle, Bristol, Sheffield and a handful of London boroughs."

"'I compare it to the ban on smoking in pubs,' said one supporter at a conference in London this month. "That seemed controversial at the time and now it's accepted -- and it's self-enforcing.' But the most significant recruit to the cause may turn out to be Liverpool, where the local NHS trust will stump up Ł665,000 [$1,048,173] over four years to implement and study an extension of the city's 20mph limits to a majority of streets. Nobody yet knows if injecting money from the public health budget will pay back in reduced hospital costs for treating victims of road accidents or not, but it could be the start of a trend. From 2013, local authorities, already responsible for road safety, will take on larger responsibilities for public health in England. The idea is that lowering road speeds may cut the NHS bill for treating crash victims, and also combat obesity by encouraging more walking and cycling..."

-> According to a recent Making it Better article, "Little Earth of United Tribes sits next to a busy hub of activity, the neighborhood playground. Kids zoom to and from the park on anything with wheels, from bikes and scooters to roller blades and roller shoes. How's a mom to keep up? For the moms at Little Earth of United Tribes, the introduction of a new bike-sharing program meant an opportunity to enjoy more active quality time with their kids. Darlene Fairbanks, resident service advocate for Little Earth, explains, 'Walking a lot is built into the lives of many of the moms in our community. Biking is a more enjoyable activity, so when we proposed the idea of the program here, it was very well received.' The bike share program is part of a larger wellness initiative at Little Earth, encouraging walking, biking and better nutrition."

"'A lot of the moms make sure their kids have bikes, but the adults don't necessarily have bikes,' Fairbanks said. 'The bikes in the bike share program have racks on them, so if people need to go to the grocery store or pharmacy, they can take a bike to do their errands.' The bikes are for all residents of the Little Earth community. The bright pink and black bikes are easily recognizable to avoid theft, and the colors lend themselves to the adult women in the community, who represent the majority of the heads of household in the Little Earth residential housing. Community residents can simply call or walk-in to sign out a bike for an hour or the whole day, once they've received the bike safety lessons..."

-> According to the May 15th edition of Mobilizing the Region, "At this month's New Jersey Department of Transportation complete streets workshop in Mercer County, South Brunswick High School (SBHS) Student Council President Ian Moritz and Recording Secretary Dan Gorzynski might have seemed a bit younger than the rest of the crowd, but they came for the same reason as everyone else: they were interested in making streets safe for pedestrians...Since the beginning of the current school year, Moritz and Gorzynski, along with the rest of the SBHS Student Council, have been working tirelessly to complete a .2 mile stretch of sidewalk on a dangerous section of Stouts Lane by their school."

"SBHS is located down the road from a busy Route 1 strip mall, where students work and socialize after school, says Moritz. But a winding stretch connecting the school and the mall on Stouts Lane is perilous for pedestrians. "Because of blind curves, this .2 mile distance is one of the most dangerous routes to walk in our entire town,' Moritz explained. 'Walking from the school to the mall is an exercise that puts every student who makes the journey in serious jeopardy,' he continued. While no one has been seriously injured yet, Moritz thinks that it's only a matter of time."

"According to Moritz and his colleagues, the solution is simple. Fill in the gap in the sidewalk. Getting it done, however, has been a challenge. Moritz and his pedestrian safety allies have gained support for action among the school's administration, students, parents, and several local businesses. In November, Moritz and the student council presented the issue to the South Brunswick Town Council, and while local officials expressed concern about safety along Stouts Lane, no commitment to building the sidewalk was made..."

[Ed. Note: NJDOT staff will lead a panel session at Pro Walk/Pro Bike® in which they will share best practices from their ongoing campaign to spread and implement complete streets policies at the state, county, and municipal levels.]

MICHIGAN DOT PUTS "SHARE THE ROAD" BIKE SAFETY MESSAGE ON YOUTUBE

-> According to a May 14th MDOT announcement, "To promote safety during National Bike Month, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reminds drivers to stay alert, share the road safely, and be aware of all roadway users, including bicyclists. Centerline rumble strips are a proven safety measure that can help reduce the risk of head-on collisions, injuries and, most importantly, save lives. However, the rumble strip noise discourages some drivers from passing a bicyclist at a safe distance. A 30-second video safety message created by MDOT demonstrates safe passing of a bicyclist and sharing the road respectfully. View the video on MDOT's YouTube channel (http://bit.ly/KJzZ22)."

"Spring and summer months increase the use of roads by bicyclists. MDOT encourages everyone to make safety a top priority. May is National Bike Month, and Bike to Work Week is May 14-18. State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle says MDOT is joining forces with other transportation agencies to raise awareness and spread the safety message: 'Give 'em Space, Make it Safe, Please Share the Road.' MDOT reminds drivers: Lives are in your hands -- always pass cyclists at a safe distance..."

-> According to a May 13th ABC News Blog, "Avid texters beware: Fort Lee, N.J. police said they will begin issuing $85 jaywalking tickets to pedestrians who are caught texting while walking. 'It's a big distraction. Pedestrians aren't watching where they are going and they are not aware,' said Thomas Ripoli, chief of the Fort Lee Police Department. Ripoli said the borough, which is home to approximately 35,000 residents, has suffered three fatal pedestrian-involved accidents this year. He hopes his crackdown on people who display dangerous behavior while walking will make his town safer, but not everyone is on board with the idea of issuing $85 tickets."

"'When I walk I still look around. I'm not like constantly looking down the whole time,' said resident Sue Choe. Another woman complained about the tickets were 'a lot of money.' Officers handed out pamphlets during a short grace period in March before they began aggressively going after 'dangerous walkers.' More than 117 tickets have been issued, according to the New Jersey Record. Two professors at Stony Brook University in New York conducted a study on walking and texting. They found texters are 60 percent more likely to veer off line than non-texters."

-> According to a May 15th League of American Bicyclists' news release, "Kicking off National Bike to Work Week, today the League of American Bicyclists announced the largest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC) in the program's history. While communities from California to Connecticut joined the ranks of BFCs, the Mountain West rose above the rest, including two new Gold Level BFCs in Durango (CO) and Missoula (MT) 'We aren't surprised that this was the largest number of new and renewing applicants that we've ever had,' said League President Andy Clarke. 'The popularity of this program is clear evidence that simple steps to make bicycling safe and comfortable pay huge dividends in civic, community and economic development.' With this impressive round, there are now 214 BFCs in 47 states. By evaluating and recognizing investment in bicycling promotion, education programs, infrastructure and pro-bicycling policies, the BFC program is revolutionizing the way communities evaluate their quality of life."

"A long history of strong advocates working with visionary policymakers to create a comprehensive bicycle network boosted Missoula to the Gold standard -- a distinction reserved for just 16 communities nationwide. With the recent additions of protected bike lanes, path system signage and new bike parking, more than 7 percent of local residents commute by bike, making this city a model for the state and region. 'The City of Missoula, together with numerous citizen advocates, have worked hard for more than 30 years to integrate and promote bicycle commuting, and we're proud that our extensive off-street bike/ped trail system, together with our miles of bike lanes, and bike education and encouragement programs, reflect that,' said Missoula Mayor John Engen. 'It's an honor to achieve the Gold standard.'..."

-> According to a May 19th NY Times article, "It was a warm April morning in downtown Los Angeles, and there was not a car on the road. For five hours, the streets were commandeered by nearly 100,000 people on bicycles -- old and young, wearing spandex and silly hats, dogs and babies perched on handlebar baskets -- in a celebration that produced a sight that once would have seemed inconceivable in this city of cars. It was the fourth time this city closed its streets for the event known as CicLAvia, and it was the largest one yet."

"These days in Los Angeles, there are midnight bike rides, East Side bike rides, women's bike rides and nude bike rides rolling out nearly every day. In the past 18 months, close to 40 miles of bike paths and lanes have been created across the city and the City Council passed a measure to prevent bicyclists from being harassed by motorists. On one recent evening, drivers came to a (mostly) uncomplaining stop as swarm after swarm of cyclists breezed through an intersection on Wilshire Boulevard, complete with a police escort. And on Tuesday, there was a 'Blessing of the Bicyclists' -- with a rabbi, a water-sprinkling priest and bikers in attendance -- at Good Samaritan Hospital, which has treated its share of injured bikers over the years..."

-> According to a May 7th Atlantic Cities article, "Traffic and kids don't mix. That's something people intuitively understand. Automobile collisions disproportionately kill kids, for starters. Heavy traffic also prevents them from playing on their neighborhood streets. And communities with limited opportunities for walking and playing outside have been shown to have higher rates of childhood obesity, which can lead to serious health complications in later life. It turns out vehicular traffic does something else, too, more subtle but equally pernicious: It changes the way children see and experience the world by diminishing their connection to community and neighbors. A generation ago, urbanist researcher Donald Appleyard showed how heavy traffic in cities erodes human connections in neighborhoods, contributing to feelings of dissatisfaction and loneliness."

"Now his son, Bruce Appleyard, has been looking into how constantly being in and around cars affects children's perception and understanding of their home territory. Appleyard worked with children in two suburban communities. One had light traffic and infrastructure that allowed children to walk and bike on their own. One had heavy traffic and children traveled almost exclusively by car. Using a technique called cognitive mapping, Appleyard asked groups of nine- and 10-year-old kids to draw maps of their neighborhoods, showing destinations such as school and friends' houses, and marking places they liked or disliked. The results were revealing: In the Heavy [traffic exposure] neighborhood, the children frequently expressed feelings of dislike and danger and were unable to represent any detail of the surrounding environment..."

-> "Before becoming Prime Minister I have been a passionate cyclist and a cycle tourist myself. Even if I don't have the opportunity now as in the past to cycle as I would like to, I know all the problems that those using the bicycle are confronted with, especially in big cities. The bicycle is an 'intelligent' means of transport, both from the point of view of its environmental impact and on the economic level since it greatly reduces the costs of urban mobility, and last but not least for people's health. As already done in Europe with the financing of several projects connected with cycle paths, in Italy too it's necessary to give more attention to 'soft mobility.' In this sense the government is engaged in favouring policies of sustainable mobility also with the objective of reducing road accidents which involve cyclists. I'm aware that a lot still needs to be done. I encourage you to go on with your campaign and I'm tempted to say to go on cycling in order to draw the attention to what can be done at all levels to improve the conditions of those who use the bicycle to move around in the city..."-- Mario Monti, Prime Minister of Italy

-> "GETTING RESULTS: SRTS PROGRAMS THAT INCREASE WALKING...""...and Bicycling to School Guide by the National Center for Safe Routes to School. 2012 (general info & link to 2.9MB pdf)http://bit.ly/METQQK

CALENDAR

Additional training opportunities are available on the National Center for Bicycling & Walking web site. Add your own items to the on-line calendar...it's quick and easy. Please be sure your calendar items pertain to training and workshops in the bicycle, pedestrian, or livable community fields. Go to:http://www.bikewalk.org/calendar.php

-> July 17-19, 2013, 20th International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Info: Delft University of Technologyhttp://bit.ly/oHrzAE

JOBS, GRANTS, AND RFPS

Please limit job announcements to about 150-250 words and include a web link for the full description. This will reduce the editor's workload! Thanks!

-> JOB -- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR -- PALMETTO CYCLING COALITION (SC)

The Palmetto Cycling Coalition (PCC), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization promoting a more bicycle-friendly South Carolina, is hiring an Executive Director. Duties include oversight of all programs, budget and fundraising activities, and day to day operations of the organization. Expected start date: mid to late July, 2012.

Applicants should submit: a resume; a cover letter explaining your interest in the position and summarizing your experience, leadership and management skills; two references; and a writing sample. Email submittals to <jobs@pccsc.net> and place "Executive Director Search" in subject line. The position will remain open until filled, strongest consideration given to submissions prior to 5pm on June 5, 2012.

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington, a non-profit advocacy and education organization that is working to grow bicycling in all corners of the Evergreen State, is looking for a new Executive Director to lead our organization. The Executive Director is responsible for advancing the vision and mission of the Bicycle Alliance, manages its staff, and serves in a crucial role as the face of the organization for advocacy, education, coalition building, fundraising and communications-related activities.

We seek an energetic, inspirational and visionary executive director to provide leadership in achieving our goals and realizing the ambitions of our newly-adopted strategic plan. The new executive director will be a dynamic leader and accomplished manager who can motivate others to rally behind the organization's vision; will be skilled at lobbying, policy development and education; will be politically savvy and understand the importance of a well-crafted message; will effectively communicate with persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives; will be skilled at budgeting and financial management; will have well-honed fundraising skills; and will be adept at coalition building and at reaching out to diverse groups and individuals.